Lucas Willard

Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief/Weekend Host

Lucas Willard graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. He also attended the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in 2010, where he studied audio and multimedia storytelling. Prior to joining WAMC in 2011, Lucas worked with the Sound and Story Project of the Hudson Valley, the Big Shed Audio Documentary Podcast, the Albany Broadcasting Company, WDVL & WCVF-FM Fredonia, and WSUC-FM Cortland.

Days after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo vetoed legislation that would have made it more difficult for a Hasidic Jewish village to expand, the governor allegedly received campaign donations from the community.

One key tourist town in our region says a new fireworks law is a dud. The Village of Lake George is pushing Warren County to reconsider participating in New York’s law allowing small fireworks. Meanwhile, other communities across the state may face their own challenges.

An environmental organization known for its advocacy and work on the Hudson River is beginning work on the Mohawk. WAMC's Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard took a step aboard Riverkeeper's floating laboratory on Wednesday...

On a dreary morning, Riverkeeper's boat, the R. Ian Fletcher, is docked along Amsterdam's Riverlink Park. Riverkeeper has begun been patrolling the Mohawk as it takes a snapshot of the river's water quality.

Riverkeeper Captain John Lipscomb said the Mohawk River has a somewhat dirty reputation.

Atop Saratoga County's Mt. McGregor, in the foothills of the Adirondacks, is the yellow house known as Grant's Cottage. The building is where former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant spent the last six weeks of his life.

Sitting next to a complex that was most recently used as a prison, but was once mountain top resort, the building is now owned by the State of New York. A staff of volunteers runs tours and programs at the site.